Are you a public figure in your field or country, and need Wikipedia services? If so, you must have heard about notability criteria. While many people believe that anybody can have a Wikipedia page, most people don’t qualify for the notability criteria, which is an essential requirement.
So, what are the notability criteria, and how do professional Wikipedia writers follow them?
What is Notability Criteria?
Notability criteria are an important part of a Wikipedia page. According to Wikipedia, notability is a test used by editors to decide whether a given topic warrants its own article. In simple words, it essentially means that the subject must have received significant, reliable, and independent coverage from secondary sources, so it is worthy of an encyclopedia.
Notability Does Not Mean Fame
Many people mistake notability with fame, although both are different things. While notability might have a slight resemblance to fame, it essentially means that the topic is known at least in a certain group, so it is worthy of coverage.
Take the example of a small company that operates only within a local city but has been featured in multiple reputable business journals and local news outlets for its innovative products. While it may not be famous worldwide or even within its city, it still meets Wikipedia’s notability criteria because it has received significant, independent coverage.
How Professional Wikipedia Writers Follow Notability Criteria
Wikipedia has strict guidelines about notability, and anyone writing a page must adhere to them. A topic is assumed to qualify for a Wikipedia article if it qualifies for the following criteria, according to Wikipedia.
- It meets either of the general (GNG) or the subject-specific notability guideline (SNG)
- It is not excluded under the What Wikipedia is not policy.
While it is difficult to explain all the criteria, the following is how professional Wikipedia writers follow notability criteria.
Thorough Source Research
Professional writers spend significant time identifying all possible references to the subject from credible outlets. This includes all the credible, third-party, and independent resources like news articles, journals, books, and industry publications. The more substantial and varied the sources, the stronger the notability case.
Independent Sources Only
Wikipedia requires that all references come from third-party, independent publications. This rules out press releases, personal blogs, or self-published websites on which you can upload your content on your own. Skilled Wikipedia writers carefully filter out sources that don’t meet this standard.
General Notability Guideline
The General Notability Guidelines require that the subject has received significant coverage in reliable, independent secondary sources. Meeting GNG is often the baseline for creating a Wikipedia page.
Subject-Specific Notability Guidelines
For topics like academics, books, films, or organizations, Wikipedia has extra notability rules. Professional Wikipedia writers consult these SNGs to ensure compliance if the subject falls into a special category.
Verifying Coverage Longevity
Temporary media attention isn’t enough. Wikipedia services verify that coverage spans a reasonable period, proving the subject’s relevance is not short-lived.
No Promotional Tone
The tone on a Wikipedia page must not be promotional. Pages must be written neutrally, without advertising or exaggerated claims. This helps avoid speedy deletions under promotional content rules.
Cross-Checking Multiple References
If a person is a notable figure, they must have similar stats and information available on multiple sites. Each fact is verified against more than one source to avoid inaccuracies. This cross-verification strengthens the article’s credibility.
The “What Wikipedia is Not” Policy
The “What Wikipedia is not” policy states that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not an advertising platform or a personal profile site. This means articles must present verifiable, encyclopedic content in a neutral tone and be backed by reliable, independent sources. Professional writers and Wikipedia services follow this policy to ensure the article doesn’t turn into a directory entry, personal profile, or advertising piece.
Documenting Every Claim with Citations
Since Wikipedia is very strict about the content that goes on any page, every claim must be documented with trustworthy citations. Professional Wikipedia services, after writing a Wikipedia page, cite every claim while proofreading, and make sure that no claim is left, through additional professional proofreading.
Why Notability Criteria is the Core of a Wikipedia Page
Around 20%-25% of newly created Wikipedia pages get deleted within a year of their existence, and one of the main reasons is not following notability criteria. Notability is the core criterion that all Wikipedia writers must follow, whether DIY or professional writers. There are several reasons why notability is the core criterion.
Ensures Long-Term Survival of the Page
Wikipedia cares about its reputation. There is a reason why it ranks at the top of every search result if the subject has a page, and why most people prefer collecting the subject’s general information through their website. Even if anyone with a Wikipedia account can edit the information, it is challenging to find wrong information about a subject there.
Builds Credibility and Trust
No credibility can be built if it’s all based on unproven facts. Notability ensures that all the information is from third-party, independent resources that are backed by real evidence. Such information builds credibility, which is the number one reason why you would hire Wikipedia services.
Maintains Wikipedia’s Quality Standards
Notability is arguably the soul of Wikipedia’s quality standards. Without following its criteria, you won’t be able to write a quality page. The page is also more likely to be considered for deletion.
Reduces Disputes and Edits
The number one rule of writing a Wikipedia page is to write in a completely neutral tone. This means no positive or negative annotation about the subject. Although it could make writing boring, it is essential because it reduces disputes and edits.
Protects the Subject’s Reputation
The notability criteria have two rules:
- The subject must have third-party, independent coverage
- The page must be written in a completely neutral tone
Both these rules are there to protect the subject’s reputation.
Concluding Thoughts
Wikipedia can be a great source of building trust and authority in your industry, community, or field, but only if your page follows the notability criteria. If you or the Wikipedia writers you hired don’t follow the requirements, your page might look unprofessional, not be useful, and worst of all, be nominated for deletion by the Wikipedia editors. Therefore, always choose a Wikipedia services agency that follows Wikipedia’s notability criteria.
